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Your Commissary and Exchange Benefits are in Jeopardy

Recent activities by Congress threaten to eliminate the saving you get when you shop at the Commissary. If passed, these actions could also significantly reduce the money set aside to pay for MWR (Morale, Welfare, and Recreations) activities for military families.

How could this happen? In an environment focused on reducing the deficit, law makers must cut expenses from the budget before agreeing to pay for new programs. Why does this affect the commissary? Unlike other grocery stores, the commissary does not make a profit. By law, commissaries can only charge consumers 5% more than the item costs to stock the shelves. This unique pricing allows military families to save more than 30% on their grocery bill. This works because the costs to operate the commissary is paid by a subsidy in the federal budget.

Earlier this year, the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee voted to eliminate the federal subsidy for military commissaries and recommended the Department of Defense (DoD)consolidate the operations of the commissaries and exchanges in order to pay for the Caring for Camp Lejeune Veterans Act of 2011 (S.277). We strongly believe these families’ health care needs must be met, but we are adamantly opposed to doing so at the expense of other military families. There is still time to act. This bill still needs to be voted on by the entire Senate and then approved by the House, but it poses a very real threat.
Senator Tom Coburn’s (R-OK) “Back to Black” report also calls for consolidating military commissaries and exchangesinto a single, nonsubsidized retail system over five years.
There is growing concern that the $1.3 billion subsidy to operate the commissary will be targeted by the Joint Committee on Deficit Reduction or “super committee” tasked to find at least $1.2 trillion in savings over the next decade.

If this bill is passed, prices in the commissary and exchanges will go up in order to make up for the loss of federal funds. You’ve told us how important your commissaries and exchanges are, especially those of you who live overseas or in remote locations, and we’ve shared your thoughts with Congress. You can also tell Congress what you think. Share your story at www.saveourbenefit.com.

If the additional step to consolidate the behind the scenes operations of the commissaries and exchanges takes place, the $300 million earned to pay for MWR programs that support critical quality of life programs could go away. In 2006, after spending $17 million to study the issue, the Department of Defense determined that consolidation was not the answer to budget concerns. It wasn’t the answer then and it is not the answer now.

For more information on the Commissary benefit, we suggest you read Tom Philpott’s article, Commissary boss: Critics overlook the efficiencies. We have also provided a list of important facts on the commissary and exchange.

Important Facts:

Military families currently save an average of 31% by shopping in the Commissary.
Military families save an average of over 20% by shopping in the Exchanges.
The commissaries and exchanges pay $800 million to more than 50,000 military family members employed by them.
Exchanges generate $300 million in dividends which are used to support Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) programs for service members and military families.
For the $1.5 billion spent annually, commissaries and exchanges generate $5.6 billion in savings.

We urge you to let Congress know how much you value your Commissary and Exchange Benefit! Please leave your comment below.

Comments

Thanks for submitting your feedback. If your comment is personal in nature, please email info@MilitaryFamily.org.

Items 301 - 350 of 354

Comment: My husband and I are stationed in a remote part of Nevada where I have been unable to find a job. I have a degree and have loads of work experience, but due to the location of the base there aren't job opportunities for me. We live off of one income and the benefits provided by the substantial savings through shopping at the commissary help make up for my lack of income.
Submitted by: Lara on October 20, 2011

Comment: really? what else are you going to take away from the men & women who protect this country!? this is just ridiculous. How about instead of taking away everything from the military, you cut CONGRESS pay?????
Submitted by: ashley on October 20, 2011

Comment: don't you think you've hacked away enough of our benefits? let's see you do the job my husband does, risking his life every day and leaving his family behind and see how mad you get if someone threatens to take away your benefits. It makes me mad and sick at the thought of the way our military memebers and their family, who are paying the ultimate sacrifice, are being treated. Please keep your hands off of our benefits.
Submitted by: on October 20, 2011

Comment: This is appalling. First they want to cut the retirement bennies of our lifers like my husband who has 24 yrs in, and replace it with a 401K. Now they want to cut the Commissary/PX benefits too. What's next (?) force them to serve & give their lives for free with no compensation??? Congress is a joke, and has been for a loooong time. It's time "we the people" take our country back!
Submitted by: Married2theMilitary on October 20, 2011

Comment: Must they forget who protects the president and others? Who is going to be there if they mess with the benefits? Well I guess their jobs will not be as worth the trouble if they start cutting more and more benefits. Ha...these people are hilarious....they can take from the mouths of others but can't take from their own...Lord help us.
Submitted by: families serve too on October 20, 2011

Comment: Some military families are struggling with low pay, single income households, high or difficult to obtain childcare and still have trouble getting groceries. Some already qualify for wic and food stamps. If this passes, you will see those programs become overloaded.
Submitted by: Erin on October 20, 2011

Comment: Instead of taking away from those who provide for this country, how about we reduce or cut off the foreign aid.
Submitted by: on October 20, 2011

Comment: Please use your conscience and know that we are doing the best we can to hold our families together with increased TDYs, deployments, training, and long workdays by our active duty members. Adding a financial stressor along with everything else military dependents incur is just callous. Please reconsider eliminating these benefits, as they are coming few and far between these days. Thank you, Julie
Submitted by: Julie on October 20, 2011

Comment: If the commissary is phased out, I would be forced to buy more processed food. My family's waiste lines would absolutely be effected. My husband's PRT would become a hastle. Ms. Obama's Goals for Healthy Families Plan would be more of a joke than it already is in my house. It would be overall horrible. If the Exchange were phased out, I would be tapping family members for clothes and shoes for the kids. Yes, we can shop at Wal-Mart, but you sacrifice quality for price and end up spending the same to replace the items that have shorter life spans. Unless our service members have a big raise in their future, not likely after the last two years of inflation going up and pay staying almost the same, we now, more than ever, need our "benefits" that allow for the Pentagon to justify such a low take home salery. Also, think of it this way Congress. Force us to buy poorer foods and force us to use more of our health care benefits later because we will all be over weight with high cholesterol, diabetes, high blood pressure, kidney and liver problems, knee and joint problems, etc. . .
Submitted by: on October 20, 2011

Comment: I'm sorry, but how much do you Congressmen make? And how many hours do you work? And what kind of benefits do you receive? There are so many military families (yes, including my own) that depend on those benefits that were promised to us when our spouses signed up because of the incredibly meager salaries you give them. I would like any one of you to switch salaries, benefits, bank accounts, etc for even a month and see how much you end up going into debt without your luxurious amounts of money. How dare you try to cut out everything in the military without touching your own precious salaries, benefits, etc? I can promise you, your military will shrink if you take these benefits away because the cost of going into debt, the stress and little or no gratitude for it, and the possibility of dying for a country that has decided that you aren't worth normal citizens won't be worth the time and effort spent. All men are created equal? Not anymore. That was gone a long time ago. I've completely lost faith in my government. I personally think you should all be fired without your precious pensions and without hope of rehire.
Submitted by: Furious on October 20, 2011

Comment: I hope this is a misunderstanding. If not for these perk, most enlisted whould have to go on food stamps. What would that do to your federale budget. Hey, lets see if Pay no taxe Halliburton will kick in . Sheesh. You folks up there are shameful. Serve the people, not your bankbook.
Submitted by: LPnerd on October 20, 2011

Comment: Really, why don't we start with "congress" and cutting their wastefull spending" We spent 22 years going where you sent us and doing what you told us to do. All we ask is that you "give us" what you promised!
Submitted by: Robin on October 20, 2011

Comment: We need our commissaries. There are other avenues to cut down costs - the military should not suffer
Submitted by: Lisa on October 20, 2011

Comment: There are plenty of ways to cut the deficit and spending, but cutting the benefits of those who fight for our freedom is not one of them. Like other comments have said, this is going to hurt the lower enlisted families more than anyone. I don't understand why Congress continues to cut what little military families get but still they all live comfortable on 6-digit salaries. If Congress really wants some new ideas on how to cut deficit, why not come and ask the military families themselves? They'll get better ideas that way than sitting behind their desks coming up with "great" ideas that only infuriate the general public.
Submitted by: armywife010210 on October 20, 2011

Comment: Our family could NOT afford to lose our Commissary and Exchange benefits! We already struggle to pay for the overage of what our unsatisfactory dental coverage doesn't and every year it seems that the military has more taken from it. I don't see a single one of you Congressmen or Congresswomen taking any sort of pay cut. I see you get into limousines and go back to your mansions in the evening, meanwhile my husband is on deployment, ready to die for this country in a horrible situation. I am starting to wonder if it is even worth it to be in the military. The benefits have been whittled down to the breaking point. I don't believe for one minute any of you care about what happens to him or any other man or woman serving on active duty and it shows every time you set out to take MORE from people that you already take so much from. Thanks for reminding me that you people up in Washington think the people that put their lives on the line for you while living paycheck to paycheck aren't important to the big government.
Submitted by: Strugglingfamily on October 20, 2011

Comment: I spent three years in Iraq, while the American people enjoyed peace and family- I think our military are entitled to some benefits- as their job demands that one pays with their life- and their family have to stay home waiting- for a hit or miss.... Without benefits, what kind of military will we have?
Submitted by: Three years in Iraq on October 20, 2011

Comment: Why take this away from them they put their lives on the line for you to make laws that just work for you. why not take a cut in your own pocket book. It's the Soldier, Not the reporter who has given us the freedom of press.It's the Soldier, Not the poet, who has given us the freedom of speach.It's the Soldier, Not the politicians that ensures our right to Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happines.It's the Soldier who salutes the flag, who serves beneath the flag, and whose coffin is draped by the flag.
Submitted by: Britta on October 20, 2011

Comment: It really does surprise me that congress would rather hurt their defense system to save money. And the sad part is they aren't hurting the people in higher ranks they are hurting the lower enlisted.
Submitted by: AtlNavyWife on October 20, 2011

Comment: My husband took a massive pay cut to work for the air force, but we agreed it was worth it for ALL the benefits in the package, INCLUDING the commissary. Trust me, we and many other families will leave the military if the benefits don't outweigh the meager salaries.
Submitted by: Air Force Wife Year #1 on October 20, 2011

Comment: Couldnt of said it better myself: Why is military families always the one they are talking about cutting back? Why not the president's paycheck or congress? They don't risk their lives in their life of duty on a daily basis. Who would want to stay in the military if everything is taken away? Those who serve to protect our country should have benefits, if you take those away you may not have anyone to protect our country.
Submitted by: Melissa on October 20, 2011

Comment: We don't shop at the Exchange and Commissary now, because we're Stateside, but may be deploying overseas next, and would likely utilize the NEX and Commissary more then. I think raising prices at the exchanges and commissaries will only hurt servicemembers, their families, as well as veterans.
Submitted by: r4g4b45h on October 20, 2011

Comment: Our military fight for our country and this is how you repay them??? They already sacrifice there lives on a daily bases and now you want them and their families to sacrifice more? My husband has been in for 17 years this is now how you should treat our military. Do not let this happen!!!
Submitted by: Melissa on October 20, 2011

Comment: So they wanted to take more away from those who sacrifice the most. This is ridiculous!
Submitted by: K on October 20, 2011

Comment: These men and women are risking their lives to protect our rights and freedoms. They are already underpaid for the jobs they do and now their benefits are at risk. This is a joke. Support our military because they support us!!!!!
Submitted by: Jazmin on October 20, 2011

Comment: Why is military families always the one they are talking about cutting back? Why not the president's paycheck or congress? They don't risk their lives in their life of duty on a daily basis. Who would want to stay in the military if everything is taken away? Those who serve to protect our country should have benefits, if you take those away you may not have anyone to protect our country.
Submitted by: Army Wife on October 20, 2011

Comment: My husband sacrifices so much for our country and asks one thing from our govt and that is to take care of his family. Here the govt seems to not care and wants to take away our benefits. Please stop taking away our benefits and realize how much we need the commissary and exchanges.
Submitted by: lent45 on October 20, 2011

Comment: Do not pass this bill! Cut your own damn pay!
Submitted by: Bob on October 20, 2011

Comment: My husband is retired military. We greatly appreciate the opportunity to shop the commissary and exchange and appreciate the savings.
Submitted by: BJ on October 20, 2011

Comment: If congress keeps this up who will stay in the military? My husband is already considering getting out and going to school. By taking away from us you may push those away....then who will you get to fight your million dollar war. Look in the mirror to find your answer of where to cut spending!
Submitted by: Air force wife on October 20, 2011

Comment: Why can't they cut out the money that they send overseas and to our enemies. They are not interested in taking care of us, only what can get them more votes.
Submitted by: Support us not stab us! on October 20, 2011

Comment: This is ridiculous! The military shouldn't have to keep sacrificing the little benefits that they get! They sacrifice their lives, is that not enough? I can't even continue on with my comment because of the things I want to say. I really hope this doesn't pass becasue if it does, I foresee a decrease in military service members. Let's see the politicians take their places and go to war for the little crap that they get in return.
Submitted by: Carrie on October 20, 2011

Comment: Political figures need to cut their pay FIRST! They send our troops into war, leaving many families behind. Then Congress members have the audacity to complain about feeding a family on a $600,000/yr pay! Are you kidding me?
Submitted by: Liz on October 20, 2011

Comment: whats next? Just put us out on the street already. It's not enough that my soldier is fighting for his life so that 'suits' in congress can have the freedom to make stupid and self serving decisions like this, or that my kids wake up missing their daddy because he is in some foriegn land on his 4th deployment in 7 yrs fighting for the freedom and security of every American. When will the soldiers and their families stop being the sacrificial lambs?
Submitted by: Army wife and fed up on October 20, 2011

Comment: This is horrible. Lower enlisted can already qualify for food stamps, as many have stated, my hubby and I didn't even have kids and we were on the ramen diet(purchased from commissary). I can't see how the president could let this happen, his own wife is always on tv stressing how important nutrition is, and how kids need activities. A diet with minimal preservative packed foods is expensive, and one of the main reasons my kids do activities on base(even though we live off) is because there are other military brats who won't have both parents at every game for the same reason as them. That support system and ability to relate to other kids in the same situation is vital to their well being. If you don't want the military to fail don't fail us, we sacrifice so much already and taking away one of the few perks that ease the difficulties of this life is not the answer. Some of the fat cats in Washington should try living off what we get for a month, then try and retire on half of that!!
Submitted by: USAFWife Michelle on October 20, 2011

Comment: This is absolutely ridiculous; For military families that sacrifice so much to be put in a financial hardship because the government cannot figure out how to fix what has been broken for years. We already live in substandard housing and get paid less than the average blue collar worker. WAKE UP CONGRESS!
Submitted by: Darrah Lowe on October 20, 2011

Comment: I'm sure there are more frivolous areas that can be cut to support Caring for Camp Lejeune Veterans Act of 2011. Military families count on the commissary savings to make ends meet. Cut luxuries like arts endowments instead.
Submitted by: phillyusmcwife on October 20, 2011

Comment: Leave the military benefits alone. These people sacrifice all for our country!
Submitted by: Cary M on October 20, 2011

Comment: Cut your own pay congress!! Military families in the majority are already living in poverty. Now you want to make it worse?!?! Quit being greedy!! Unless you want to go fight these numerous wars first hand instead of sitting on your comfortable seat in Congress... Pay the ones better that are actually doing the work, and quit cutting our programs!!!
Submitted by: FedUp on October 20, 2011

Comment: We are a family of 4 and we live from paycheck to paycheck and have been raising our credit card bill. How will we afford to live if you take these benefits away? COL out here is ridiculous. It's not like we can move to a more affordable area. We go where our Marine goes. So are you going to take away housing benefits too and make military families homeless? How is that helping our country? Take away all the first class seating and privatized jets. Cut your paycheck in half. You are not deploying or leaving your family behind. You don't have friends that have paid the ultimate price. Or friends that have lost their legs. We have gone through enough. Leave the military alone.
Submitted by: Marine Wife on October 20, 2011

Comment: With thousands of military families qualifying for food stamps why get rid of a benefit that helps the military pay go further. Many families cannot have two incomes because of the soldier needing to be gone so much. The commissary and exchange help make ends meet. Please think twice before cutting this benefit.
Submitted by: Missa on October 20, 2011

Comment: Such a travesty to once again attack the benefits of our military. Our Navy, Army, Air force, Marines, etc protect our country at all costs. With a ridiculous amount of foreign funding going overseas, to countries that are hardly allies, I find it appalling that our government would strip the savings from our military. Here is a thought, cut the frivolous aid we send overseas and allow those funds to help our men and women in uniform who fight and defend our country!
Submitted by: Navy Wife on October 20, 2011

Comment: Slowly the government is taking away many of the reasons Americans join or agree to stay in the armed forces. Earlier this year we become aware of a proposal to turn our retirement benefits into a 401K type system, Tuesday we read that tuition assistance is cut by 75% and today I see that the commissaries and exchange benefits are in jeopardy. This really is appalling to me when I know there are junior enlisted that require "food stamps" to buy groceries at the commissary in order to feed their family because their wage in considers within the poverty level! I'm told by senators and congressman that we all must sacrifice to fix our budget deficit and that the military is no different. To those who believe that I say WE ARE DIFFERENT! Michelle Obama herself says that we are an elite 1% of Americans that VOLUNTEER to defend our country and that the nation must support the service members and their families. If the US wants to retain an elite fighting force, they need to STRONGLY consider finding money in other government programs OR maybe cutting their own pension program to pay for the The Caring of Camo Lejeune Veterans Act of 2011 and others.
Submitted by: Saddened on October 20, 2011

Comment: Our family depends on this to help with the savings, as already strapped we are, this is something that we can benefit from. And the money goes back into MWR.
Submitted by: Crystal Cavalier on October 20, 2011

Comment: Most military families have only ONE INCOME. Why? Simply because, we make an important decision to be there for our children when the military member is gone which happens to be frequent. Many are gone for one year or longer. Having the monetary savings and convenience of the Commissary and Exchange are benefits military dependents should be allowed to keep. We give up so much already and get no pay and hardly any voice in return. Also, since so much is donated back from the commmisary/bx to Morale and Welfare programs, that money would be lost and we would end up having more cuts in morale programs available to families. Cut something else in the government and leave the military benefits alone. From what I understand, Congressional Members have benefits that could be cut in HALF and would still be above and beyond what the military would ever get!
Submitted by: Upset Spouse, Brat, Former Military on October 20, 2011

Comment: Find some where else to cut. Military families are already doing enough to support our country. Cut something else out like your benefits. Leave the military alone.
Submitted by: ArmyWife on October 20, 2011

Comment: So many military families struggle to feed and clothe their families now with these benefits. What would happen if they were to lose this amazing benefit? I hope that we don't have to find out!
Submitted by: Straus on October 20, 2011

Comment: We are a family of five and count on our savings at the commissary to help offset the other expenses of having three growing children. So many military families survive on one income because it is really a hard choice to go to work and be away from your children when you already have one parent that is hardly ever home. I think it would really hurt the morale out soldiers and families if we lost our benefits.
Submitted by: Concerned on October 20, 2011

Comment: The Commissary and Exchange Benefits are for ALL - Active Duty and Retired Veterans, Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard and Marines - not just the FEW. What has been proposed is taking away from ALL for a FEW.
Submitted by: djobeasley on October 20, 2011

Comment: This is part of the reason that stayed on to complete over 20 years of service. As an Army brat, some of my earliest memories are trips to a commissary or PX to get food and other needs. With every thing else decreasing in value these benefits are required.
Submitted by: OldSgt on October 20, 2011

Comment: Why take away from those who are defending your country and are struggling already? This is ridiculous.
Submitted by: Kwill on October 20, 2011

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